The Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free) Songfacts reports that Fiasco’s first single off his fourth studio album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 debuted on May 21, 2012. On "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)," he spits rhymes about aspects of modern American life he doesn’t like such as "Suicide bombers and prosperity gospels, emaciated models, with cocaine and blood pouring out their nostrils” as well as socio-political problems in Ghana and the invasion of Iraq.
Lupe released his fifth studio album Tetsuo & Youth on January 20, 2015.
Lupe's 8th Studio Album DRILL MUSIC IN ZION was released on June 23rd 2022
Lupe has previously been on label Epic with his group Da Pak and then signed a solo deal with Arista. His years at Arista only led to the 2003 promo single "Pop Pop" as well as guest appearances on singles from Tha' Rayne (2002's "Kiss Me" and 2003's "Didn't You Know") and K Fox (2003's "This Life"), then Arista folded in 2004 and Lupe was signed to Atlantic Records.
Adoration of the Magi
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're like, a contemporary museum of art
That farts, that's harsh
Narcissism, on narcotics
On sharp objects in large pockets
At dark, you ain't gotta hide it
Keep it— metal gear solid
Lead the leaders, that's how you file it
Low on energy, find peach cobbler then gobble it
Yeah, it's food in them drums and boes
If you beat 'em up then they'll drop it
And they'll rapidly flicker till they disappear
Blinking gradually quickens till they isn't here
And that's da da da da da da da.
Just to be back in
Reincarnated, eact twin
Eact ten, eact twelve
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Eact self
Do I really gotta say it?
Didn't we all play it?
Dojo, Abobo
Overshore the throat, polo
Billy, Jimmy
Even on the low low
Why you ready to die? You just a baby
Why them tears up under your eyes? You just a baby
Keep your head up in the sky, you just a baby
Quit chasing money, never mind, you just a baby
(These Maji adore you)
Why you wanna be born again? You just a baby
Why you playing in the streets? You just a baby
Now let's vogue, Martin pose
Downward facing dog, warrior pose
Tree pose, bridge pose
Triangle pose, seated twist (pose, pose)
Upward facing dog (pose, pose)
Pigeon pose
In this bitch, that's vulgar, that's yoga
Let's try it again with clothes
And closer, enclosure, eposures
Quiet is kept like Rosicrucian meet koza nostras on Oprah's sofa
With both controllers
Watchin' Gazans and ashkenazis ride roller coasters
Say yeah
Yeah, lots of options, now up is down, two player
Now A is jump and B is punch
You seein' somethin' that weren't there
To find friendliness in a nemesis, it's a old test
3 buttons, see somethin'
That's emphasis on genesis
Why you ready to die? You just a baby
Why them tears up under your eyes? You just a baby
Keep your head up in the sky, you just a baby
Quit chasing money, never mind, you just a baby
(These Maji adore you)
Why you wanna be born again? You just a baby
Why you playing in the streets? You just a baby
Can't be eyes closed when you side scroll
You not the first person
The first person from your first cursin'
To your first cursive
And your curse words is in the curve version
It occurs virgin is the word version
That refers perfect to the first person
In the third verse, who's really me
In the third person but prefers the first one, that's me
Again
Master cleanse and a syringe
From a gerber until your first burger
Pamper to her depends
Everything between is just drawers
Even in between is no loss
Even where the king is no boss
Meet it with a swing it's so south
Unless you Bamm Bamm
Knocking them pitches into the grand stands
In the club, watching the women just do them hand stands
Like you a man's man
That's washing down a ham with the Zam Zam
Who got a baby in here with these strippers?
She's two weeks pregnant
Didn't even know, he's dancing with her, damn
Why you ready to die? You just a baby
Why them tears up under your eyes? You just a baby
Keep your head up in the sky, you just a baby
Quit chasing money, never mind, you just a baby
(These Maji adore you)
Why you wanna be born again? You just a baby
Why you playing in the streets? You just a baby
The lyrics of Lupe Fiasco's "Adoration of the Magi" speak to themes of nostalgia, self-discovery, and growth. The opening verse contrasts the smartness of the subject with their harsh narcissism, describing them as a contemporary museum of art that farts. The lyrics then shift to an exploration of video game culture, using metaphors of reincarnation and double lives. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the idea that the subject is just a baby, encouraging them to keep their head up, quit chasing money, and not be afraid of their youth. The second half of the song continues to explore different themes, including yoga, pop culture, and the cycle of life from infancy to old age.
Throughout the song, Lupe Fiasco employs dense metaphors and wordplay to explore complex themes in a playful and entertaining way. The lyrics touch on a range of cultural touchstones, from Metal Gear Solid to Oprah's couch, and weave in references to video games, yoga poses, and hip-hop slang. The repeated refrain of "you just a baby" takes on different meanings as the song progresses, serving as a reminder of the subject's youth, innocence, and potential.
Overall, "Adoration of the Magi" is a dense, thought-provoking song that rewards close listening and multiple interpretations. Whether exploring the complexities of youth and growth or indulging in playful pop culture references, Lupe Fiasco invites listeners to engage with the deeper meanings beneath the surface of his lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
You're so smart
You are highly intelligent
You're like, a contemporary museum of art
You are as complex and thought-provoking as a modern art museum
That farts, that's harsh
That's a rough description
Narcissism, on narcotics
An excessive desire for self-importance while under the influence of drugs
On sharp objects in large pockets
Carrying dangerous items on one's person
At dark, you ain't gotta hide it
You don't need to conceal your true self in darkness
Keep it— metal gear solid
Maintain your composure and strength, like the character in 'Metal Gear Solid'
Lead the leaders, that's how you file it
Be a leader among leaders
Then clobber it
Defeat it handily
Low on energy, find peach cobbler then gobble it
When feeling tired, eat peach cobbler to renew energy
Yeah, it's food in them drums and boes
There is food in the drum machines and synthesizer boxes
If you beat 'em up then they'll drop it
If you hit those machines, they will release their contents
And they'll rapidly flicker till they disappear
Their lights will flash quickly until they vanish
Blinking gradually quickens till they isn't here
Their rapid flashing speeds up until they are no longer present
And that's da da da da da da da.
And that's it
Just to be back in
Just to be alive again
Reincarnated, eact twin
Born again as the same person
Eact ten, eact twelve
Age is irrelevant
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Nonsense words
Eact self
The same person as before
Do I really gotta say it?
Do I have to explain?
Didn't we all play it?
Haven't we all done this before?
Dojo, Abobo
Two characters from the video game 'Double Dragon'
Overshore the throat, polo
An obscure reference or nonsense words
Billy, Jimmy
More characters from 'Double Dragon'
Even on the low low
Even when trying to keep it quiet
Why you ready to die? You just a baby
Why are you so willing to risk your life when you are still so young?
Why them tears up under your eyes? You just a baby
Why are you crying when you are still so young?
Keep your head up in the sky, you just a baby
Stay optimistic even though you're young and inexperienced
Quit chasing money, never mind, you just a baby
Don't prioritize money when you're still so young
(These Maji adore you)
(These wise men love you)
Why you wanna be born again? You just a baby
Why are you in such a hurry to start over when you're still so young?
Why you playing in the streets? You just a baby
Why are you playing in dangerous areas when you're still so young?
Now let's vogue, Martin pose
Let's strike a pose like Madonna or Martin Luther King Jr.
Downward facing dog, warrior pose
Yoga poses
Tree pose, bridge pose
More yoga poses
Triangle pose, seated twist (pose, pose)
Additional yoga poses
Upward facing dog (pose, pose)
Another yoga pose
Pigeon pose
One more yoga pose
In this bitch, that's vulgar, that's yoga
Being vulgar is just part of the yoga culture in this environment
Let's try it again with clothes
Let's practice those same yoga poses while fully dressed
And closer, enclosure, eposures
Getting closer together and experiencing new positions
Quiet is kept like Rosicrucian meet koza nostras on Oprah's sofa
Keeping quiet like a secret society meeting up on Oprah's couch
With both controllers
With plenty of control
Watchin' Gazans and ashkenazis ride roller coasters
Watching people of different religions ride roller coasters together
Say yeah
Agreeing with what was just said
Yeah, lots of options, now up is down, two player
There are many choices now and directions are reversed with two players
Now A is jump and B is punch
The controls have changed
You seein' somethin' that weren't there
Imagining something that wasn't real
To find friendliness in a nemesis, it's a old test
To be kind to an enemy is a classic challenge
3 buttons, see somethin'
Pixel art visuals with only 3 buttons
That's emphasis on genesis
Referring to the beginning of something
Can't be eyes closed when you side scroll
You can't be unaware and still progress
You not the first person
You're not the only one experiencing these things
The first person from your first cursin'
Referring to the first time cursing
To your first cursive
And the first time writing in cursive
And your curse words is in the curve version
Cursing looks different in cursive handwriting
It occurs virgin is the word version
The word version pertains to something new or untouched
That refers perfect to the first person
That is a perfect representation of the person
In the third verse, who's really me
In this verse, which version of me is the true one?
In the third person but prefers the first one, that's me
Referring to oneself in third person but identifying more with first person
Again
Once more
Master cleanse and a syringe
A detox diet and a needle
From a gerber until your first burger
From baby food to your first hamburger
Pamper to her depends
From diapers to adult undergarments
Everything between is just drawers
All of the time in between is just regular clothing and underwear
Even in between is no loss
There is nothing wrong with the time in between infancy and adulthood
Even where the king is no boss
Even the ruler is not always in charge
Meet it with a swing it's so south
Handle it confidently and aggressively
Unless you Bamm Bamm
Unless you are extremely strong
Knocking them pitches into the grand stands
Hitting the baseballs far into the stands
In the club, watching the women just do them hand stands
Observing women dancing in a suggestive way
Like you a man's man
As if you're a true 'man's man'
That's washing down a ham with the Zam Zam
Drinking a lot of water after eating salty food
Who got a baby in here with these strippers?
Who brought a baby into this strip club?
She's two weeks pregnant
A woman is newly pregnant
Didn't even know, he's dancing with her, damn
He didn't even realize she was pregnant, while dancing with her
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DACOURY NATCHE, WASALU JACO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MAJESCO86
Can't be eyes closed when you side scroll
You not the first person
The first person from your first curse until your first cursive
And your curse words is in the curve version
It occurs virgin is the word version
That refers perfect to the first person
In the third verse, who's really me
In the third person but prefers the first one, that's me
Again
@-A-LeucTri
You're so smart
You're like, a contemporary museum of art
That farts, that's harsh
Narcissism, on narcotics
On sharp objects in large pockets
At dark, you ain't gotta hide it
Keep it— metal gear solid
Lead the leaders, that's how you file it
Then clobber it
Low on energy, find peach cobbler then gobble it
Yeah, it's food in them drums and boes
If you beat 'em up then they'll drop it
And they'll rapidly flicker till they disappear
Blinking gradually quickens till they isn't here
And that's da da da da da da da.
Just to be back in
Reincarnated, eact twin
Eact ten, eact twelve
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Eact self
Do I really gotta say it?
Didn't we all play it?
Dojo, Abobo
Overshore the throat, polo
Billy, Jimmy
Even on the low low
Why you ready to die? You just a baby
Why them tears up under your eyes? You just a baby
Keep your head up in the sky, you just a baby
Quit chasing money, never mind, you just a baby
(These Maji adore you)
Why you wanna be born again? You just a baby
Why you playing in the streets? You just a baby
Now let's vogue, Martin pose
Downward facing dog, warrior pose
Tree pose, bridge pose
Triangle pose, seated twist (pose, pose)
Upward facing dog (pose, pose)
Pigeon pose
In this bitch, that's vulgar, that's yoga
Let's try it again with clothes
And closer, enclosure, eposures
Quiet is kept like Rosicrucian meet koza nostras on Oprah's sofa
With both controllers
Watchin' Gazans and ashkenazis ride roller coasters
Say yeah
Yeah, lots of options, now up is down, two player
Now A is jump and B is punch
You seein' somethin' that weren't there
To find friendliness in a nemesis, it's a old test
3 buttons, see somethin'
That's emphasis on genesis
Why you ready to die? You just a baby
Why them tears up under your eyes? You just a baby
Keep your head up in the sky, you just a baby
Quit chasing money, never mind, you just a baby
(These Maji adore you)
Why you wanna be born again? You just a baby
Why you playing in the streets? You just a baby
Can't be eyes closed when you side scroll
You not the first person
The first person from your first cursin'
To your first cursive
And your curse words is in the curve version
It occurs virgin is the word version
That refers perfect to the first person
In the third verse, who's really me
In the third person but prefers the first one, that's me
Again
Master cleanse and a syringe
From a gerber until your first burger
Pamper to her depends
Everything between is just drawers
Even in between is no loss
Even where the king is no boss
Meet it with a swing it's so south
Unless you Bamm Bamm
Knocking them pitches into the grand stands
In the club, watching the women just do them hand stands
Like you a man's man
That's washing down a ham with the Zam Zam
Who got a baby in here with these strippers?
She's two weeks pregnant
Didn't even know, he's dancing with her, damn
Why you ready to die? You just a baby
Why them tears up under your eyes? You just a baby
Keep your head up in the sky, you just a baby
Quit chasing money, never mind, you just a baby
(These Maji adore you)
Why you wanna be born again? You just a baby
Why you playing in the streets? You just a baby
@louisgregoire3927
Thank you so much Lupe for making my favorite album of all time, this is a perfect album.
@ARDG89
That's a bold statement.
@chrism.nsarille2842
Album was pretty good for it being his what fifth studio?
@devvv4616
@Carlos Infinite its perfect album for people who like this type of super intellectual, conscious rap. idk anyone who can beat lupe in terms of that tbh
@dabesaroundnstuff920
His songs are good bcs they form a kinda book on the industry, and bluntly said
@jacksoninc.4062
This album could be played in reverse and it would make sense
@hotlineqing
third verse burned down my house thanks loOpay
@guapjones5700
Gotta get # bar insurance bro😯
@user-vf1np7io3l
Uio😮❤❤😅😊😊😂😅😂😅😊😊😅😂😅😅😂😅😂😅😅😅😂😅😂😅😊😅Jim 😂😅😮😅3q😮😂😅😅a 😅😂😅😊😅😅🎉ď😮😮🎉bem 😅😂😅🎉🎉😊😅😅😅❤🎉😅😂😮😮😅😅😅😅🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉AAA😅😅😅😅Aarão bem q 😊😅😂😅😂😅😂😅😅😂😅😂😮😂😂🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😅😅😅😂😅🎉😅🎉🎉🎉😅🎉😂😊😅😅😅😅😅😂🎉🎉😅😅😅😂😂vc 😂bem 😅😂😅😅😅😂😅😅😅😅😂😅😂😅😂😅😂❤❤❤quer. .@@guapjones5700
@stevenflinn1377
Lupe is one in a million